Paramedics Set Single Day Record

Local paramedics set a provincial record this past weekend.

On Saturday canvassers collected 1370 signatures for the most ever in a single day for an initiative petition.

Paramedics hoping to collect enough signatures to force the Province to make them an essential service like the fire and police services.

In Vernon-Monashee, they need 4750 signatures. They collected 2707 this past weekend alone and local spokesman Dean Perry says they are now confident they will hit their goal.

“I’d say about 90 per cent of the people coming by said Oh yes, where do I sign. Probably about five per cent said can you explain a little more and another five per cent say they aren’t interested. I don’t think they understand what its all about.”

Perry said they need support all across the province to make this change.

“We require ten per cent of registered voters in every one of the 85 electoral districts. Vernon-Monashee’s ten per cent mark is 4750.”

Perry added that if they hit their goal, one of two things could happen.

“I believe there’s two ways it could go. Legislators could say yes we are going to do it since they have received the petition with the correct numbers or they could make it a referebum issue on a general election.”

Paramedics and volunteers will be at Save on Foods in Polson Park Tuesdays and at the Village Green mall Thursdays to the end of this month. As well they are at Askiws in Armstrong and Salmon Arm Friday.